Bullpen brilliance helps Yankees preserve Volpe’s grand slam, shut door on Dodgers
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Follow UsThe Yankees’ bullpen showed impressive resilience in Game 4, turning a challenging start into a crucial 11-4 victory over the Dodgers. After Luis Gil surrendered a two-run homer in the first inning and a leadoff double in the second, reliever Mark Leiter Jr. began warming up early, although he wouldn’t take the mound until the seventh—a testament to the bullpen’s strategic flexibility.
The contrasting bullpen performances played a pivotal role in the Yankees’ win. Tim Hill, Clay Holmes, Leiter, Luke Weaver, and Tim Mayza combined for five scoreless innings, holding the Dodgers to a single hit and one walk.
Holmes, who delivered four flawless outs, credited the bullpen’s collective approach, underscoring that wins in critical games demand contributions from everyone on the mound. He has been stellar this postseason, boasting a 2.31 ERA. The Yankees pitcher emphasized the importance of attacking the strike zone, especially against a disciplined Dodgers lineup known for avoiding off-target pitches.
“It’s incredible to be a part of and watch,” he explained. “These games, it’s going to take everybody.”
Hill first relieved Gil in the fifth inning with a runner on base. After allowing a single to Shohei Ohtani—ultimately the Dodgers’ last hit of the game—Hill nearly escaped without damage, but a high throw from Gleyber Torres on a potential double play let a run score off a Freddie Freeman grounder.
Holmes entered with Freeman on first, retiring Teoscar Hernández on his first pitch. His strong outing continued with a perfect twelve-pitch sixth inning, striking out both Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy. This shutdown performance effectively quieted the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, which had plagued Yankees pitching in the series’ first three games.
Yankees bullpen keeps Dodgers at bay until offensive outburst
Mark Leiter Jr. took the mound in the seventh inning, five hours after his first warm-up, underscoring the mental endurance required in postseason play. Reflecting on his prolonged readiness, he acknowledged that playoff scenarios demand such focus, as any pitch could shift the game’s momentum.
When Leiter finally entered, his impact justified the wait. Striking out Will Smith and walking Tommy Edman, he faced a high-stakes battle with Shohei Ohtani. His decisive full-count splitter, which Ohtani swung through, showcased why the Yankees pursued him at the trade deadline.
“That’s a tough one. It really is,” he said. “I think that that’s a really hard thing to do in general … but I do believe that the playoffs presents a different aspect, where you are expecting that a little more, because every inning could be the leverage inning. Every moment could be the turning point.”
Luke Weaver then took over, using his fastball to overpower Mookie Betts before navigating through the heart of the Dodgers’ lineup—Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, and Max Muncy—in a strong eighth inning. Initially, manager Aaron Boone appeared set on using Weaver for a rare seven-out save, but a five-run Yankees rally in the eighth eased that plan.
This offensive surge allowed Tim Mayza to pitch the final inning, a rare World Series closer-by-committee approach. Mayza delivered a quick, perfect frame to seal the win.
After the game, Weaver, who hadn’t pitched more than two innings in a single outing since early May, shared his mental preparation for an extended appearance. The seasoned reliever admitted he was ready for up to three innings, embracing his role in the elimination game with full commitment.
“I said it in my head — ‘I said it in my head,’ I guess I thought — I came into today ready to throw three innings if need be,” the Yankees closer told after the game. “I wanted to leave it all out on the line.”
The bullpen’s collective resolve embodied the Yankees’ fight to keep their season alive, underscoring their determination to force the series back to Los Angeles and to chase down a historic comeback.
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